We recently got to chat with upcoming Japan sensation, Crossfaith. It made for a great interview, and we cannot wait to see this band tour the states and garner the recognition it deserves!

Hear This! Promotions: You have had the privilege of performing on many major tours, and big name events, including “Loud Park” in 2009, “Summer Sonic” in 2010, and most recently “Warped Tour, UK”. Which of these performances has been the most memorable for your band?

Crossfaith: Every show was amazing, but if I had to choose then it would be “Warped Tour UK” .It was our second time to appear in that country, but it's been a while so kids were looking forward to going to “Warped”, it means a lot to them and us. It was such a pleasure to join a legendary rock festival. Of course we would love to be playing on Warped US too!

Hear This! Promotions: Your live performance is considered to be amongst the best in the business, andis a major selling point for your band. Does this come naturally, or is this something you’ve had to workat and develop?

Crossfaith: It's a natural thing since we've started the band. I think the live show is the most importantthing for any band and we've always been thinking of ways to rock out the audience at the show. If yougo to see your favorite band, but their show was poor, will you still love them?

Hear This! Promotions: Your “ZION EP” was recently released in the US through The End records, onNovember 12th. What is your favorite song from this EP?

Crossfaith: My favorite song is “Leiviathan” so far, it’s a great metal tune. But we played that song a fewtimes on the show. I'd love to play that song in your city!

Hear This! Promotions: You recently posted a drum video on your Youtube channel, for your song“Quasar”. Why did you select this particular song for the drum video?

Crossfaith: There is a simple reason, “Quasar” is the most interesting song for playing drums.

Hear This! Promotions: Being from Japan, what challenges have you had with breaking into the USmarket?

Crossfaith: It's the learning English. Almost of all Japanese bands find it hard to get out of Japan, causethey cannot speak English well. It is important to have success Worldwide, and one more thing to breakinto the US market is to try to do new things to stand out from others. I personally think today's USmarket is saturated, especially rock music. There are bunch of similar bands, so people need new shock,for example “Skrillex”. He achieved the biggest musical success in recent years because his music got anew shock that kids want.

Hear This! Promotions: Can we expect a US tour anytime soon, and if so when?

Crossfaith: Yes! You can expect it. We've already got some big plans to tour in your country this year,but I cannot say anything about these right now, so keep your eyes on us!

Hear This! Promotions: Can you offer up any advice to the upcoming bands and musicians reading this?

Crossfaith: Don't be the same as others! You got your own sense!

Hear This! Promotions: What are the goals for your band in 2013?

Crossfaith: Making a great record and to rock out this world! Simply that's our goals in 2013.

Hear This! Promotions: Collectively, as a band, what bands and/or musicians have had the biggestinfluence on your sound?

Crossfaith: Slipknot is my biggest musical influence, also I got most respect to Corey Taylor as a singertoo.

Hear This! Promotions: If your band was an animal, which animal would you be and why?

Crossfaith: Phoenix! We will not die forever!

Hear This! Promotions: Chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry?

Crossfaith: Vanilllllllllllla!

Hear This! Promotions: Plugs, shout outs, and thanks?

Crossfaith: Thanks for reading our interview, we can not wait to see you guys! Also make sure you checkout our latest ep “ZION”.

In music, there are always the 'Big Daddies' that we know, that define a particular sound and that we can all recognize. Aside from that though, there is the occasional band that jumps on stage and immediately just blows your mind with something you've never heard before. We believe that this accurately describes Closure in Moscow. From Australia, to America, to Japan, to elsewhere, in just a few years, these guys have made a significant mark on the Progressive map for themselves, and they continue to grow.We've recently had the opportunity to speak with the band, and it turned out to be a very interesting, see for yourself!Hear This! Promotions: During the band-naming process, what or who eventually spawned the name ‘Closure in Moscow?’Closure in Moscow: It has to do with time spent by Michael in the Eastern Bloc, when we’ve asked himabout it he simply says “It’s Russia, it’s the communists, it’s the vibe, it’s Mabo.”Hear This! Promotions: You’ve been compared to bands such as The Mars Volta, Minus the Bear, and Saosin. What are your thoughts on this?Closure in Moscow: In the case of The Mars Volta, I’m flattered because I think they are a fantastic band. In the case of Minus the Bear I’m indifferent because I’ve never actually heard them before, and in the case of Saosin I’m offended because I think they are rat shit.Hear This! Promotions: What would you say is your favorite part about playing live? Your least?Closure in Moscow: My favorite part is the uncertainty factor, the moments that are most fun are the unrehearsed, off the cuff things that happen. Whether that be doing something different in a song or some form of ad-libbed crowd participation. Least favorite is hard because what the hell sucks about playing live? I guess the obvious thing would be if equipment is being screwy and strings are breaking etc… That can kill the shui.Hear This! Promotions: In the past few years, you’ve ventured out of Australia, and into other places around the world, especially the US, and have even performed at Warped Tour. Are there any majordifferences between playing in Australia, and playing in the US that you can think of?Closure in Moscow: Australian tours, even on a bigger scale are like “Baby’s first tour.” In America we would go out and be in a different major city every day for a month straight... The scope of things over there is pretty full on compared to here. It’s bigger, it’s dirtier, it’s more mutated.Hear This! Promotions: There have been many comments on some of the unique features the band has to offer, such as Christopher’s varying vocal range. Can you tell us what some of your biggest musical influences are?Closure in Moscow: La Bouche and The Outhere Brothers were pretty big influences for me in the 90’s,I also taped the Mortal Kombat dance song onto cassette tape from the VHS once and would fight dance with my cousin with that as accompaniment constantly, so I would say that played a big part in molding me musically.Hear This! Promotions: Has the band had any contact with Beau McKee or Brad Kimber since their departure from the band in 2010?Closure in Moscow: Brad has been living in America and we haven’t really heard from him much, he’s doing his thing over there. We still see Beau occasionally, which is nice.Hear This! Promotions: What are you most looking forward to in your upcoming Impeccable Beast tour? What are you least looking forward to?Closure in Moscow: Playing new stuff we haven’t played yet for people is something I’m really looking forward to, I’m not looking forward to the actual transit, that’s always a drag.Hear This! Promotions: Where, would you say, has been your favorite place to play at thus far?Closure in Moscow: Probably Zepp Tokyo, the shows in Japan in general are always really positive and high energy, but that one really took the cake… We have a lot to learn from the Japanese, being jaded is a no-no there, they get into the festivities above and beyond the punter call of duty.Hear This! Promotions: Through your traveling experiences, what’s the craziest thing you can remember?Closure in Moscow: Our time in America was full of pretty wacky adventures. Everything happened from having guns and knives pulled on us, to living with a mechanic and his family in the backwoods of upstate New York for 3 days while he replaced our dead van engine. Enough nuttiness to write a book, but not a very good or salacious book because we can’t top things like being declared technically dead 3 times and putting various forms of aquatic life inside members of the fairer sex. Maybe a salacious read by Mormon standards.Hear This! Promotions: What would you say is your favorite ‘Closure in Moscow’ song so far?Closure in Moscow: A new one we are about to unveil on this tour with the working title “Introducing Kim, Clunge & Shaun “Big Bad Leroy Brown” Beastwood.”Hear This! Promotions: Is there any indication of a new album in the works?Closure in Moscow: We are working on it presently and looking to record it later in the year. It’s not too sweet, not too sour.Hear This! Promotions: Shout outs, Plugs, and Thanks?Closure in Moscow: Come along to one of the shows on our upcoming tour, bring some friends and support live music. Music is the best.Check out the bands website:http://closureinmoscow.com

Forever the Sickest Kids is not only a band that serves up energetic emotion packed tunes that get your adrenaline flowing and get you singing along, but they’re a band that you have to love even just because of their fairy tale success story; Starting out with hardly any finances, a lucky mistake would put them on the map, and FTSK would eventually top the Japanese charts, play prestigious tours and festivals worldwide, and become a staple name in the music industry.We recently had the opportunity to chat with Kyle Burns, drummer for FTSK. Even though we couldn't get him to crack on certain issues, it was an awesome interview – I guess it’s always fun when you love the band you’re interviewing. Be sure to check them out and listen to their new single “Shut the Front Door (Too Young for This)” (linked below). Happy reading!Hear This! Promotions: It’s said that you chose your name because it isn’t a “genre” specific name, and people would have no idea about your style of music until they heard it. Is there any truth to this, and can you tell us more about the process of creating the name and who eventually blurted out ‘Forever the Sickest Kids’?Kyle FTSK: This is true! We picked four words while playing 'words with friends' and the first four were forever, sickest, kids, the. So we rearranged and BOOM! The band name :)Hear This! Promotions: Can you tell us more about the fluke accident on Purevolume.com that eventually led to the signing of ‘Forever the Sickest Kids’?Kyle FTSK: We wanted to know how much an ad on PV.com was, so we were pluggin’ in info to check but accidently bought! We didn’t even have that much money to spend Haha!Hear This! Promotions: Between recording in the studio, and playing live, which would you say you prefer?Kyle FTSK: That is a tie. I LOVE recording and creating music so much that i own my own studio. But on the flipside, you cant compare the high you get while being on stage performing songs you make!Hear This! Promotions: Since the closure of Universal Motown Records, is there any indication that you’ll be signed to a new label?Kyle FTSK: maaaaybe... maaaaybe not ;)Hear This! Promotions: In the U.S alone, your latest album has sold well over 120,000 copies so far. Did you have any expectations of your current ongoing success? Kyle FTSK: Had no idea it would sell that many! But its not about the numbers or selling or making $$$... I am just excited that our music is being heard and enjoyed worldwide :)Hear This! Promotions: It’s been about five months since Marc Stewart announced that he was leaving the band. Has there been any contact between him and the rest of the band in that time, if so are you on good terms, and is there any plans to make Rico Garcia an official member of the band?Kyle FTSK: No one has heard from or seen Marc since then.. rumor has it he is running an illegal squirrel breeding industry in Portland, Oregon....JK. Marc is my step brother and our best friend. I see/talk to him a lot at home!Hear This! Promotions: Rumor has it that ‘Forever the Sickest Kids’ will be making an appearance at this year’s Warped Tour. Is there any confirmation of this? What about BamboozleKyle FTSK: Maaaaybeee...maaaybe not ;)Hear This! Promotions: How does it feel to have the opportunity to play at such a prestigious music festival like Soundwave?Kyle FTSK: Soundwave is in the top best festival tours in the world. It is so well organized and hundreds of thousands people attend. It’s hard to beat being able to be a part of it!Hear This! Promotions: What is your favorite FTSK song?Kyle FTSK: "Middletro"Hear This! Promotions: It’s no secret that you have even more fans over in Japan, than here in the States, especially with “Whoa Oh! (Me vs. Everyone)” topping the Japanese charts in 2008. You’ve also rocked the stage at major events in both countries. Are there any differences between playing a show in Japan opposed to stateside? (more energy from the crowd, different ambiance, equipment/road differences, etc???)Kyle FTSK: Japan is way different than the states on so many levels! They don’t get American acts that often so they go crazy and are so respectful! Love Japan!Hear This! Promotions: I suppose the most important question is, when can fans expect the release of ‘The Weekend: Saturday?’Kyle FTSK: We might come back to that series eventually! But new music is inevitable!